Improving accessibility and visualization of Puerto Rico coral reef data
Caribbean Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS)
Published: 26 February 2020
CARICOOS and partners are digitizing Puerto Rico's coral reef monitoring data using global standards to improve visualization and accessibility, aiming to support research, management, and decision-making through a GIS-based platform.
Keywords: CARICOOS, coral reefs, PRCRMP, biodiversity data, GIS, MBON, ocean monitoring
Coral Disease continues spreading across St. Thomas Reefs
Caribbean Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS)
Published: 10 March 2020
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has rapidly spread around St. Thomas since Jan 2019, killing nearly 50% of coral at Flat Cay. UVI and partners launched citizen science efforts and response teams to monitor and combat the outbreak.
Keywords: SCTLD, coral disease, St. Thomas, UVI, reef monitoring, citizen science, NOAA
Outlook of 2020 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico* – March 2020
Caribbean Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS)
Published: 1 April 2020
In March 2020, Sargassum levels surged to ~4.3 million tons, especially in the Central Atlantic and eastern Caribbean. Moderate to strong beaching is expected through summer, with bloom intensity possibly matching that of 2015.
Keywords: Sargassum, 2020 bloom, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, beaching events, SaWS, algae monitoring
